Support 4 Tanya - Funeral Service
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On Thursday, October 20th, our sister-in-law and cousin, Tanya Billups-Dowling lost her battle with cancer. She was 49 years old.
Tanya, a single mother of an 18-year-old son, Bryce, was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. She went through chemo and radiation, and in March of 2016 she thought she was in remission. Unfortunately, after further testing, the doctors discovered the cancer was not in remission but rather metastasized to her liver. Her doctors began a more aggressive treatment.
In September, Tanya was experiencing pain in her back and her hip. She went in for a procedure and never left the hospital again. The cancer was now spreading. The doctors knew she wasn’t strong enough for therapy. The cancer was also very aggressive and they determined nothing else could be done for her. The cancer was now in her bones and other parts of her body.
But God!
The moment everyone found out about Tanya’s diagnosis, she was surrounded daily by people who loved her. Her beloved son, cousin, brother, and sister in law, were with Tanya every day caring for her, laughing with her, bantering back and forth with her and praying for her. Tanya seemed to be strong, coherent, and to some degree she understood what was happening. But she was also weak, couldn’t eat or drink (except for the occasional sip of her favorite drink, Pepsi), and her legs and feet were too swollen to walk.
Tanya would have celebrated her 50th birthday on November 20th. On Tuesday, October 18th, approximately 30 of Tanya’s friends and family, (which includes her ex-husband and his family) gathered at the hospital to remind her of how loved she was. We brought balloons and her favorite, chocolate cake, to celebrate a birthday she most likely would not live long enough to see. Even though Tanya’s condition was weak, we laughed with her, cried with her, and prayed for her and Bryce.
On Wednesday, Tanya’s condition was downgraded and she was immediately moved into hospice care. Tanya told her brother it was almost time and asked to see her son so she could say goodbye. She held on long enough to see Bryce and on Thursday morning, exactly one month from her 50th birthday, Tanya passed peacefully in her sleep.
Tanya had no medical or life insurance. As many of you know, the expenses for funeral services are high. We want to ensure that Tanya receives a proper home going service. In order to proceed we need to raise the money as soon as possible so we can lay Tanya to rest and bring some immediate comfort to her son and the rest of her family and friends. Any amount you could donate would be lovingly accepted and greatly appreciated.
We give all thanks to God who gave us time and opportunity to say goodbye. We pray that Tanya was comforted during this time. She is free from pain and suffering.
Psalm 30:5 - Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
In Tanya’s loving memory, we thank you in advance.
Traci Dowling and Louise Jennings-Wharton
Tanya, a single mother of an 18-year-old son, Bryce, was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. She went through chemo and radiation, and in March of 2016 she thought she was in remission. Unfortunately, after further testing, the doctors discovered the cancer was not in remission but rather metastasized to her liver. Her doctors began a more aggressive treatment.
In September, Tanya was experiencing pain in her back and her hip. She went in for a procedure and never left the hospital again. The cancer was now spreading. The doctors knew she wasn’t strong enough for therapy. The cancer was also very aggressive and they determined nothing else could be done for her. The cancer was now in her bones and other parts of her body.
But God!
The moment everyone found out about Tanya’s diagnosis, she was surrounded daily by people who loved her. Her beloved son, cousin, brother, and sister in law, were with Tanya every day caring for her, laughing with her, bantering back and forth with her and praying for her. Tanya seemed to be strong, coherent, and to some degree she understood what was happening. But she was also weak, couldn’t eat or drink (except for the occasional sip of her favorite drink, Pepsi), and her legs and feet were too swollen to walk.
Tanya would have celebrated her 50th birthday on November 20th. On Tuesday, October 18th, approximately 30 of Tanya’s friends and family, (which includes her ex-husband and his family) gathered at the hospital to remind her of how loved she was. We brought balloons and her favorite, chocolate cake, to celebrate a birthday she most likely would not live long enough to see. Even though Tanya’s condition was weak, we laughed with her, cried with her, and prayed for her and Bryce.
On Wednesday, Tanya’s condition was downgraded and she was immediately moved into hospice care. Tanya told her brother it was almost time and asked to see her son so she could say goodbye. She held on long enough to see Bryce and on Thursday morning, exactly one month from her 50th birthday, Tanya passed peacefully in her sleep.
Tanya had no medical or life insurance. As many of you know, the expenses for funeral services are high. We want to ensure that Tanya receives a proper home going service. In order to proceed we need to raise the money as soon as possible so we can lay Tanya to rest and bring some immediate comfort to her son and the rest of her family and friends. Any amount you could donate would be lovingly accepted and greatly appreciated.
We give all thanks to God who gave us time and opportunity to say goodbye. We pray that Tanya was comforted during this time. She is free from pain and suffering.
Psalm 30:5 - Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
In Tanya’s loving memory, we thank you in advance.
Traci Dowling and Louise Jennings-Wharton
Organizer
Traci A Dowling
Organizer
New Castle, DE